TELUS Statement

"If media reports are accurate, it is unfortunate that the government
has chosen to not convene a Parliamentary Committee on an issue that is
of critical importance to all Canadians. We respect the NDP's efforts
to have an open and transparent discussion on this issue and we
encourage Ottawa to reflect, open up the conversation and listen to
what so many voices in Canada are saying to them. Recent polls clearly
show the vast majority of Canadians are aligned with TELUS' perspective
that new competition should be welcomed but that the same rules should
apply to foreign and domestic companies in the upcoming auction of
Canadian wireless spectrum. TELUS welcomes competition from foreign
companies and, indeed, we have been on the record since 2001 calling
for foreign ownership restrictions to be lifted. Certainly, as
numerous, diverse organizations such as Canada's largest unions, the
Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the Fraser Institute have stated,
applying the same rules to both foreign and domestic firms is the best
way to promote healthy competition that would be in the best interest
of all Canadians. Giving Verizon or another foreign company a
two-for-one advantage in the auction of these airwaves is unjust and
harmful to Canadians, especially pensioners and people in rural
communities. Moreover, it is not consistent with the intrinsic belief
Canadians have in fairness. It is not too late for the government to
consider the prevailing voice of Canadians and establish a level
playing field in the upcoming spectrum auction."